Port Harcourt, Feb. 17, 2026 (NAN) Stakeholders in the judiciary have urged the South-South governments to intervene in the provision and replacement of vehicles for the magistrates in the region to ensure their security and enhance justice delivery.
The stakeholders in the region made the remark while responding to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) survey on Magistrates’ welfare.
They, however, called for the rehabilitation of the magistrates’ courts as well as those in the suburbs.
An Uyo based lawyer, Mr Uwem Noah, bemoaned the situation where magistrates go to work through a public transportation, saying that such exposes them to insecurity.
‘’This, to some extent, may bring about low morale and productivity in the discharge of their duties,’’ he said.
Noah noted that some magistrates were still living in rented apartments, except few female magistrates, whose husbands were well to do, that were living in their permanent apartments.
He said that some of the magistrates’ court rooms were still not conducive enough to enhance proper dispensation of justice.
He added that apart from magistrates, chairmen of district courts were not taken care of as they go to court on motorcycles.
“This is highly improper; they may be attacked by litigants who felt they were not given judgement in their favor.
“Something serious must be done to improve the welfare of magistrates to avoid mortgage of justice,” Noah said.
He said the situation was unlike that of the judges who, once appointed, had official car, driver and security attached to them.
He urged the state government to ameliorate the sufferings of the magistrates by ensuring that they and the district court chairmen were given good welfare package in line with Judges to boost their morale.
On his part, Mr Eyibio Okon, a legal practitioner in Uyo said that the magistrates were not properly treated as their welfare was not commensurate to their office.
He lamented the poor working conditions of the magistrates, saying that some of them, who were appointed many years ago, were still using public transport to go to work.
“Yes, that is correct, even in Uyo where I am, I know magistrates who were appointed since last administration and are still using public transport to work.
“I am in sympathy with the magistrates because if you want justice delivered, the man who is to deliver justice must be taken care of.
‘’Otherwise you may be pushing him or her to begin to take bribe; maltreatment of the magistrates by the state government, is a perception that may affect justice delivery,’’ he claimed.
Okon added that maltreatment of magistrates would not only affect justice delivery but would delay it while enhancing corruption.
He spoke on judges’ welfare and explained that they were Federal Public Servants who receive salaries from the Federal Government and support from the state government.
He added that the National Judiciary Council of Nigeria (NJCN) had the responsibility of ensuring the judges’ welfare, explaining that once a judge was appointed, he was entitled to a car, house, and other things.
“Once someone is appointed a Judge, he moves straight to a house given to him by government and that is done by NJCN.
‘’However, Magistrates don’t have that kind of protection. The only protection they have is NBA,” he said.
Okon urged the magistrates to identified with the NBA to seek help as well as harness an appropriate approach to drive home their demands to state government.
Also speaking, an Uyo based Lawyer, Mr Sunday Okon-Akpan sued for improved welfare packages for magistrates, saying that once the Judges and Magistrates were not taken care of, they were bound to be corrupt.
“When this happens, every other sectors or strata of the society, be it social, economy, politics, education, health, sports, agriculture, justice, security, or family will be in jeopardy,” he said.
Okon-Akpan said that where the judiciary works according to the rule of law, the society will begin to take shape while criminality, corruption, failure in leadership and other vices would started diminishing.
He described the judiciary as the foundation on which the development of any nation is anchored.
However, Dr Aniekan Umanah, Commissioner for Information said that the State Government had fulfilled its obligations to judicial officers in the state.
Umanah said that government regularly paid salaries and allowances of all public officers, including magistrates.
“Government over the years fulfilled its obligations to all. If there is any incentive yet to be made, government is working hard to meet them,” Umanah said.
In Cross River, Mr Godwin Onah, a Chief Magistrate, said that for over 15 years, the magistrates in the state had suffered without official vehicles, promotions, official residence, medical coverage or any meaningful welfare support.
He added that the magistrates had not received any sponsorship for conferences or professional development from the government.
According to him, “rent allowances owed to some magistrates have remained unpaid for several years, compounding their hardship.
“Three magistrates died in 2024 due to health challenges; their deaths were due to lack of healthcare support,’’ he alleged.
He added that at least three magistrates were attacked in recent months, while some were assaulted, threatened by litigants, and even attacked in their homes due to lack of security.
Onah, who is the Chairman of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria, Cross River Chapter, decried the deplorable condition of magistrates’ court buildings across the state, from Calabar to Obanliku.
He, however said that in 2024, Gov. Bassey Otu sympathised with them and promised intervention in the plights.
He appealed to the state government to expedite action on the intervention in order to prevent further loss of lives and erosion of judicial dignity.
On his part, Mr Richard Inoyo, Country Director of Citizens Solution Network faulted the state government for neglecting the magistrates’ welfare.
Inoyo alleged that political office holders were prioritised in the areas of vehicles, allowances and benefits, while statutory officers, including magistrates, were left unattended.
He warned that poor welfare for magistrates could undermine justice delivery, noting that neglected judicial officers faced pressure that could encourage corruption and compromising the rule of law.
He said, ‘’magistrates’ courts remain the first point of justice for ordinary citizens and should be adequately funded, protected and respected by government.
Inoyo called for urgent review of the state’s welfare priorities, urging the governor to focus on civil servants and judicial officers who are critical to governance and social stability.
In Rivers, Mrs Cordelia Eke, the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Rivers Branch, highlighted the need for housing arrangements and vehicle replacement for magistrates and customary court chairmen.
She acknowledged that the magistrates in the state were not totally being neglected but added that there were challenges facing the justice sector which could affect service delivery and erode public confidence in the judicial system.
She said the challenges included the poor conditions of branch facilities, lack of basic amenities and inadequate functional buses for branches, citing that ‘’.Port Harcourt branch is struggling with only two buses for over 8,000 members.’’
Eke expressed concern over the vandalism of court properties, including the Okrika high court and magistrate court where electrical installations and air conditioners were stolen.
The NBA Chairman called for the relocation of courts to their various jurisdictions, appointment of more Customary Court Chairmen and Members, and adequate funding for the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee.
She also emphasised the need for genuine consultation with the Bar in appointing Judicial Officers, citing concerns over suitability and integrity of some appointees.
Eke added that there would be transparency and respect for due process in future appointments and called for full computerisation of court for efficient judicial delivery.
She also called for the appointment of additional Judges, Magistrates, and Customary Court members as well as employment of competent lawyers into the state civil service.
Eke commended the state government for providing additional housing units, assigning official vehicles and residences to newly appointed magistrates, while paying the outstanding benefits to the reinstated magistrates.
She stated that the steps demonstrated genuine commitment to the wellbeing of the Judiciary and efficient administration of justice.
“We commended the governor of Rivers State for the continued financial support to the Judiciary, and appeal for strengthened commitment in the new legal year to ensure smooth and efficient justice delivery,” she said. (NAN)
